221 people under probe for involvement in scams with losses over $5 million

The Singapore Police Force (SPF) has launched a massive investigation into 221 suspected scammers and money mules following a high-impact, two-week enforcement operation. Conducted between February 26 and March 11, 2026, the crackdown involved officers from the Commercial Affairs Department and all seven police land divisions. The operation targeted individuals linked to more than 1,080 scam cases, which resulted in combined victim losses of over SGD 5.3 million (US$4.1 million).

The suspects, comprising 136 men and 85 women, represent a surprisingly broad demographic, with ages ranging from 17 to 81. These individuals are believed to be involved in a variety of fraudulent schemes, including e-commerce scams, friend impersonation, and fraudulent job or investment offers. Investigators are currently looking into several potential charges, including cheating, money laundering, and the provision of illegal payment services.

In a move to decisively curb the rising tide of fraud, Singapore has introduced some of the world's most stringent penalties for scam-related crimes. Under legislation that took effect at the end of 2025, scammers and those who recruit for syndicates now face mandatory caning of six to 24 strokes upon conviction. Furthermore, "scam mules"—those who assist by laundering proceeds or providing access to their SIM cards and Singpass credentials—may face up to 12 strokes of the cane.

Beyond physical and custodial sentences, the authorities are employing a new Facility Restriction Framework to neutralize the threat posed by these offenders. This framework allows the police to impose long-term restrictions on banking services and mobile line subscriptions for those involved in money mule activities. By cutting off access to the very tools used to facilitate scams, the government aims to disrupt the operational capacity of both local and international criminal syndicates.

This operation is part of an ongoing, intensified effort to protect the public from increasingly sophisticated financial crimes. While authorities continue to recover millions in stolen funds, they emphasize that the most effective defense remains a skeptical and informed public. Citizens are urged to use official tools like the ScamShield app and to remember that government officials will never solicit money or sensitive banking details over the phone.